British Rail Class 700

British Rail Class 700
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Name	British Rail Class 700
Service	2016–present
Yearservice	2016
Numberbuilt	115
Formation	8 cars per trainset
Carbody	Aluminium alloy
Maxspeed	100 mph
Gauge	Standard gauge

British Rail Class 700 is an electric multiple unit used for high-frequency commuter services on the Thameslink Programme routes through London. Conceived as part of a major upgrade to cross-London services, the fleet entered service in the mid-2010s to replace older units and support increased capacity for routes connecting Brighton, Bedford, Peterborough, and Cambridge. Delivered under a large procurement alongside infrastructure works at Blackfriars station, St Pancras railway station, and Farringdon station, the trains form the backbone of modern Thameslink operations run by Govia Thameslink Railway.

Design and development

The Class 700 concept emerged from the requirements of the Thameslink Programme and the Department for Transport rolling stock specifications, reflecting input from Network Rail, Siemens Mobility, and the government-led Railway Upgrade Plan. The design process involved collaboration with Bombardier Transportation for depot interfaces, and consultations with transport authorities including Transport for London and local councils in Brighton and Hove and Luton. Initial proposals were influenced by precedent fleets such as the British Rail Class 378, British Rail Class 357, and British Rail Class 700 competitors considered during tendering like Alstom, CAF, and Hitachi.

Prototype evaluation included tests at Wildenrath Test and Validation Centre and assessments on Network Rail infrastructure, comparing braking systems used on Class 365 and Class 377 units. Regulatory clearance required approvals from the Office of Rail and Road and conformance with standards applied at St Pancras International and Farringdon interchanges. The production contract award to Siemens Mobility followed scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee and legal challenges from rival bidders such as Bombardier.

Technical specifications

Each eight-car unit uses aluminium carbody construction with shared electrical architecture similar to the Desiro City family. Traction equipment comprises Siemens-built IGBT inverters and asynchronous traction motors, comparable to installations on DB Regio fleets and interoperable with UK third-rail and overhead systems used across Brighton Main Line and East Coast Main Line interfaces. Maximum design speed is 100 mph with regenerative braking feeding onboard energy storage and the national National Rail overhead supply.

Bogie design and suspension incorporate technology seen on ICE 3 and TGV derivatives, while onboard systems include European Train Control System elements used on HS1 and cab equipment compatible with Network Rail signalling. Passenger information systems, CCTV, and train management systems were standardized to integrate with control centers at depots in Hornsey and maintenance facilities modelled after those at Crewe.

Operations and deployment

The fleet was introduced into commercial service progressively from 2016, replacing fleets such as British Rail Class 319 and augmenting services on corridors serving Brighton, Gatwick Airport, Cambridge, and Peterborough. Timetabling changes were coordinated with National Express operations and local franchise holders to optimize peak flows through Blackfriars station and Farringdon station. Depot allocation and driver training programs were coordinated with unions including ASLEF and RMT.

Operational integration required software harmonization with signalling upgrades on the Thameslink core and co-ordination with stations managed by Network Rail and operators such as Southern and Great Northern. Interworking exercises included emergency response drills with London Ambulance Service and security coordination with the British Transport Police.

Incidents and reliability

During early service, the fleet experienced teething problems typical of major procurements, including software commissioning issues that required remedial action similar to earlier roll-outs like the Bombardier Aventra program. Reliability metrics were monitored by the Office of Rail and Road and operational performance reported to the Department for Transport. Specific incidents prompted safety reviews by Rail Accident Investigation Branch and cooperation with the Health and Safety Executive where human factors or infrastructure interactions were implicated.

Mitigation measures involved retrofits at Siemens facilities and depot interventions at locations influenced by precedents from reliability interventions on Class 387 and Class 350 units. Service recovery plans were coordinated with other operators such as CrossCountry and East Midlands Railway where diversionary arrangements were necessary.

Passenger experience and interior

Interiors were designed to provide increased capacity with longitudinal seating and accessible areas influenced by designs on the London Underground and suburban fleets like Class 378. Onboard features include air conditioning, real-time passenger information compatible with systems used by Transport for London, multi-purpose areas for bicycles and luggage for Gatwick Airport traffic, and wide gangways to facilitate flow at busy interchanges like St Pancras International. Accessibility provisions meet standards advocated by Disability Rights UK and regulations enforced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Passenger feedback mechanisms engaged groups such as Which? and local user panels in Cambridge and Brighton and Hove, influencing minor interior revisions and adjustments to seating layouts and luggage storage similar to changes previously adopted on Class 377 refurbishments.

Manufacturing and procurement

Siemens manufactured the fleet with final assembly and fit-out in facilities comparable to those used for Desiro family production, coordinated under contract terms negotiated with oversight from the Department for Transport and subject to audit by the Public Accounts Committee. Components were sourced from suppliers used by international projects like Crossrail and adhered to procurement frameworks influenced by EU procurement directives extant during contract award.

The procurement process featured competition among bidders including Bombardier, Alstom, CAF, and Hitachi, and involved financing models comparable to rolling stock leasing arrangements with Angel Trains and Eversholt Rail Group in the UK leasing market.

Liveries and preservation

Units entered service in livery schemes developed in consultation with Govia Thameslink Railway and branding bodies involved with the Thameslink Programme identity, with variations seen during testing phases at Wimbledon and Hornsey depots. Heritage and preservation interest has been noted by groups such as the National Railway Museum and local railway societies in Bedford and Brighton; however, preservation of modern aluminium multiple units typically follows different pathways than classic locomotives preserved by organizations like the Bluebell Railway and the National Collection.

Category:Electric multiple units of Great Britain